Definition

1. Noun:
   • A religion; a religious doctrine: A system of beliefs and practices concerning the divine, sacred things, or the ultimate truth. Often used to refer to organized religions like Buddhism or Christianity.
   • A moral principle; a way; a doctrine: A guiding philosophy, code of ethics, or righteous path one must follow in life, such as the way of being human or the way of a spouse.
   • (Historical) An administrative division: A territorial unit in ancient Vietnam, equivalent to a modern province.
   • (Historical) An important official document: A decree or edict issued by the state in former times.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Religion):
  • Ông ấy theo đạo Phật. (He follows the Buddhist religion.)
  • Nhà thờ đạo. (The church of the [Catholic] faith.)
• Noun (Moral Principle):
  • Đó là đạo làm con. (That is the way of being a child [filial piety].)
  • Ăn ở có đạo. (To live righteously.)
• Noun (Historical - Division):
  • Vùng đất thuộc đạo Thái Nguyên xưa. (The land belonged to the ancient Thai Nguyen province.)
• Noun (Historical - Document):
  • Nhà vua ban hành một đạo dụ. (The king issued an edict.)

Advanced Usage

• "dẫn đạo": to guide, to lead the way (often in a moral or spiritual sense).
  • Vị thầy dẫn đạo tinh thần cho họ. (The teacher provides spiritual guidance for them.)
• "theo đạo": to follow a religion, to convert to a faith.
  • Gia đình bà ấy đã theo đạo. (Her family has converted to the faith [often implies Catholicism].)

Variants and Related Words

• Đạo đức (n): morality, ethics.
  • Một người có đạo đức tốt. (A person of good morality.)
• Đạo hạnh (n): virtue, pious conduct.
  • Bà ấy nổi tiếng về đạo hạnh. (She is famous for her virtue.)
• Đạo quân (n): (historical) an army corps, a large military unit.
  • Một đạo quân hùng mạnh. (A powerful army corps.)

Synonyms

• Religion: a system of faith (e.g., Buddhism, Christianity).
• Way / Path: a principle or manner of living (e.g., righteousness, doctrine).
• Doctrine: a set of beliefs taught by a religion or philosophy.
• (Historical) Province: an administrative region.
• (Historical) Edict: an official order or decree.

Related Idioms

• Có thực mới vực được đạo: One must have material sustenance to uphold moral principles. (Literally: "With food, one can support the Way.")
  • Người ta thường nói "có thực mới vực được đạo". (People often say, "One must have practical means to uphold ideals.")
• Đạo lý: moral principles, ethics (often used together).
  • Câu chuyện chứa đựng nhiều bài học đạo lý. (The story contains many moral lessons.)

noun

1. road; way
   • dẫn đạo
     to show the way